HAVING A FLOAT PLAN is one of the 10 items listed for boating safety offered by Utah State Parks. So far there have been eight boating related deaths in Utah this summer.
Photo Courtesy of Utah State Parks

WOODS CROSS – So far there have been eight boating related deaths throughout the state of Utah this summer.

Those fatalities, said Boating Program Manager Ty Hunter, have led to Utah State Parks’ offering key tips to avoiding such accidents or deaths.

Hunter offered 10 tips for safe boating this summer, including wearing a life jacket; taking a boating safety course; maintaining a distance of 150 feet from other boats, anglers and swimmers; maintaining a proper lookout; following navigation rules; carrying safety equipment; making sure the boat is in proper working order; knowing about carbon monoxide poisoning; and, creating a float plan.

Copies of Utah laws and rules, as well as a safety checklist, are available at the Utah State Parks website at stateparks.utah.gov or by calling 801-538-7220.